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Contract Lidar Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kett Engineering

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OTR Mapping Vehicle Operator

Columbus, OH · Remote

$20/day

Operation of the vehicle that uses Lidar, digital imagery systems and GPS instruments to collect ... This is a temporary contract running until the end of 2026. This position will require extended ...

Lynker Corporation

Uncrewed Vessel Operator

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$45K - $90K/yr

This position is contingent upon contract award. Duties of the Uncrewed Vessel Operator will ... LiDAR, and RADAR. Experience with data acquisition using Multibeam Sonars, Side Scan Sonars, and ...

Lynker Corporation

Uncrewed Vessel Operator

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$45K - $90K/yr

We are seeking individuals who can help our team support our contract with NOAA Uncrewed Marine ... LiDAR, and RADAR. • Experience with data acquisition using Multibeam Sonars, Side Scan Sonars ...

Actalent

Electrical Engineer

Herndon, VA

$60 - $80/hr

Senior Electrical Engineer | Pay: $60 - $80/hr | Onsite in Herndon, VA | 9-month contract-to-hire ... Design and develop electronics for advanced electro-optical systems used in laser, lidar, and laser ...

Aquila Corporation

Survey Chief

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

Prioritize survey types (aerial, underground, trench, GIS, LiDAR) based on terrain, urban density ... Evaluate and manage external survey service providers, drone operators, and equipment vendors.

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Contract Lidar Operator information

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$10

$23

$37

How much do contract lidar operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract lidar operator in the United States is $23.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract lidar operator?

Contract Lidar Operators are professionals hired on a contractual basis to operate Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) equipment for various surveying, mapping, or data collection projects. They are responsible for setting up, maintaining, and operating LiDAR systems, often in the field, to capture accurate 3D data of landscapes, infrastructure, or objects. Their work supports industries such as construction, forestry, mining, and environmental monitoring. Contract Lidar Operators must have technical skills, attention to detail, and a good understanding of data processing and safety protocols.

What are common challenges faced by contract lidar operators?

Contract Lidar Operators often encounter challenges such as operating sophisticated equipment in remote or difficult terrain and adapting to rapidly changing environmental conditions. They must also manage large volumes of data accurately and ensure that all safety and regulatory protocols are followed. Collaboration with survey teams and project managers is essential to meet tight deadlines and client expectations. Staying updated with the latest Lidar technologies and software is also key to maintaining high-quality results.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a contract lidar operator?

To thrive as a Contract Lidar Operator, you need expertise in remote sensing, Lidar data acquisition, and geospatial analysis, typically supported by a relevant technical degree or field experience. Familiarity with Lidar hardware, GPS systems, and specialized software such as TerraScan or ArcGIS is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set top operators apart. These skills ensure the accurate collection and processing of spatial data for applications like mapping, surveying, and environmental assessment.

What is the difference between Contract Lidar Operator vs Survey Technician?

AspectContract Lidar OperatorSurvey Technician
Required CertificationsOSHA safety training, GPS and GIS software familiarityLand surveying certifications, CAD software skills
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, on-site data collection using LiDAR equipmentIndoor and outdoor, fieldwork and office drafting
Industry UsageConstruction, forestry, infrastructure projectsLand development, mapping, civil engineering

The Contract Lidar Operator primarily focuses on operating LiDAR equipment for data collection in outdoor environments, often requiring GPS and GIS knowledge. Survey Technicians perform land surveys, often using CAD and other mapping tools, with some overlap in fieldwork. Both roles are essential in geospatial projects but differ mainly in equipment and specific tasks.

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Contract Lidar Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Lidar Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 5% Temporary, and 35% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,930 per year, or $23 per hour.

LiDAR Test & Calibration Engineer

Aeva, Inc.

Mountain View, CA

$103K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

About us:
Aeva's mission is to bring the next wave of perception to a broad range of applications from automated driving to industrial robotics, consumer electronics, consumer health, security, and beyond. Aeva is transforming autonomy with its groundbreaking sensing and perception technology that integrates all key LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant velocity in addition to 3D position, allowing autonomous devices like vehicles and robots to make more intelligent and safe decisions.
 
Role Overview:
We are seeking a highly motivated LiDAR Test & Calibration Engineer to develop, optimize, and support manufacturing test and calibration processes for LiDAR sensors in a high-volume production environment. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring that every LiDAR unit meets performance, quality, and reliability specifications through automated testing, calibration, data analysis, and continuous process improvement.

This role requires close collaboration with Manufacturing, Product engineering, Lidar Algorithms and Quality teams to achieve production yield, throughput, and quality goals.

What you'll be doing:
  • Develop, validate, and maintain manufacturing test and calibration processes for LiDAR sensors.
  • Work with suppliers to design and optimize automated production test stations, fixtures, and calibration equipment.
  • Define production test sequences, acceptance criteria, and calibration algorithms.
  • Analyze LiDAR performance metrics such as Range accuracy & precision, SNR, Signal intensity, Point cloud quality, Receiver sensitivity, etc.
  • Perform root cause analysis of manufacturing failures and implement corrective actions.
  • Improve first-pass yield (FPY), throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
  • Develop Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods to monitor manufacturing quality.
  • Create and maintain calibration procedures, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation.
  • Support Engineering Validation Test (EVT), Design Validation Test (DVT), Production Validation Test (PVT), and Mass Production (MP) builds.
  • Work closely with automation engineers to integrate test equipment with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
  • Analyze production data using Python, SQL, JMP or similar tools to identify trends and improve process capability.
  • Troubleshoot optical, electrical, and mechanical issues affecting production yield.
  • Support new product introduction (NPI) by transferring test and calibration processes from development to manufacturing.
  • Provide on-site support when needed at contract manufacturer (CM), to bring and qualify the LiDAR test and calibration line, troubleshoot issues including conducting failure triage and root cause analysis.
  • Assist product engineers and business development teams with RMA support by investigating returned units.
What you'll have:
  • 1-3 years of experience (or equivalent academic project experience) developing test processes and infrastructure for optoelectronic products such as LiDAR, laser-based sensors, optical systems, cameras, or imaging systems.
  • Strong programming abilities in Python
  • Computer operating system and networking skills, including command-line tools and LAN troubleshooting.
  • A strong foundation in physics and signal processing fundamentals to understand 4D LiDAR and how manufacturing variability impacts performance.
  • Familiarity with statistical analysis and SPC techniques.
  • Ability to travel internationally, up to 25% of the time
Nice-to-haves:
  • Hands-on experience with electro-optical sensor systems.
  • Knowledge of photonics, optics, and laser systems.
  • Experience with robotic automation and industrial manufacturing equipment.
  • Exposure to production testing environments for electro-optical sensor systems.
  • Knowledge of software engineering processes, including version control, release engineering, test-driven development, and Agile methodologies.
  • Familiarity with automotive LiDAR performance requirements.
  • Bilingual with fluency in Spanish or Korean
What's in it for you:
  • Be part of an early start-up that's backed by industry-leading venture capitalists
  • Very competitive compensation and meaningful equity!
  • Exceptional benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and more!
  • 401k matching
  • Unlimited PTO: We care about results, not punching timecards
  • Paid lunches, ping pong tournaments, and fun team off-sites!
$103,900 - $140,600 a year
Salary pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate's starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, certifications, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges are subject to change in the future.
 
Depending on the position offered, equity, bonus, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, pre-tax commuter and health care/dependent care accounts, 401k plan, life and disability benefits, flexible time off, paid parental leave, and 11 paid holidays annually.
Aeva is an Equal Opportunity Employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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About AEVA

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Manufacturing and manufacturing

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Palo Alto, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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